Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The adventure continues
This past weekend Travis and I woke up on Friday morning and decided to leave for Stewart Island. I like the idea of making few to no plans and just taking off, it adds to the adventure. So we wound up on Stewart Island, only after watching 6 people puke on the 'deadliest catch' like ferry ride there. Stewart Island isn't exactly the most happening place in the world. They have a bar, a corner store, a hotel, and a shack that sells very good fish and chips. After spending 2 hours covering all the roads by moped Travis and I took another boat ride to Ulva island where we were met with some fearless birds. The best part of the trip though was the 10 min boat ride back when Travis and I went to the front of the small boat and poke our bodies out of a little hole titanic style. It was in this position that we crashed through the waves, getting mouthfuls of salt water, all the way back. I have to admit that it was almost as good as bungy jumping. Which leads to commenting on the way I have changed so far. Lately I have noticed that I am not afraid anymore. Before I came I was afraid of a lot of things...one big fear being planes. I almost cried on the way to the south island. But now that I have had some of these adventures I have started to approach everything with a fearless attitude which really helps my nerves. I hope this feeling doesn't go away when I leave NZ.
On the way back from Stewart Island we drove through the Catlins stopping at all the major lookouts, bays, and blow holes. The best part was when we tried to get to a waterfall and ended up herding a good 600-1,000 sheep up a long dirt road (pictures soon to come). It was pretty ironic as we had just been talking about how it is hard to depict with a picture how many damn sheep there are in this country...these pictures should really help.
I'm back in Dunedin for now and not 'planning' any trips this weekend. School is, well, easy. I haven't really done anything, but I have 2 essays to write for next week. I'm not to worried though. Yesterday in tutorial I had another 90's flashback as we learned that there is in fact a function on your computer that lets you double space your papers properly...who knew? Oh, and lets not forget a little lesson on how to properly quote sources in your paper. oh well, I can't complain. I do really love the books I'm reading.
Finally, I am considering changing my plane ticket now and working at a winery if I don't get the hilldale. It's still up in the air...can't decide if I should consult the rents.
one more thing, Chris Mckim Candy Car Bombs are a must at the Mad Town reunion that has played out in my head a million times.
On the way back from Stewart Island we drove through the Catlins stopping at all the major lookouts, bays, and blow holes. The best part was when we tried to get to a waterfall and ended up herding a good 600-1,000 sheep up a long dirt road (pictures soon to come). It was pretty ironic as we had just been talking about how it is hard to depict with a picture how many damn sheep there are in this country...these pictures should really help.
I'm back in Dunedin for now and not 'planning' any trips this weekend. School is, well, easy. I haven't really done anything, but I have 2 essays to write for next week. I'm not to worried though. Yesterday in tutorial I had another 90's flashback as we learned that there is in fact a function on your computer that lets you double space your papers properly...who knew? Oh, and lets not forget a little lesson on how to properly quote sources in your paper. oh well, I can't complain. I do really love the books I'm reading.
Finally, I am considering changing my plane ticket now and working at a winery if I don't get the hilldale. It's still up in the air...can't decide if I should consult the rents.
one more thing, Chris Mckim Candy Car Bombs are a must at the Mad Town reunion that has played out in my head a million times.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A quick look at life
ok, so this has nothing to do with NZ, but I thought I would write about it anyway.
A guy I know from junior high and high school died this past week. I wasn't too close with him or anything, but I knew him well enough to be affected by the news. They aren't positive on the cause of death, but they think he simply fell in the shower and hit his head while vacationing in Mexico. I suppose that isn't the ideal way to go, but at least he didn't know what was coming.
I guess the thoughts that are bombarding my mind the most right now are those concerning the fragility of life and how any of us could go at any moment, even if we are as invincible as Kevin Doran. I guess this unfortunate event, among other things, has stressed the importance of living life to its fullest. By this I mean trying the things that scare you the most like jumping off a bridge, farming in a developing country where you speak little, if none of the language, go to chili with no visa, fly to an unreliable TN in Africa, or whatever else puts your completely outside of your comfort zone, cause who knows, tomorrow you could slip and fall in the shower and never wake up.
A guy I know from junior high and high school died this past week. I wasn't too close with him or anything, but I knew him well enough to be affected by the news. They aren't positive on the cause of death, but they think he simply fell in the shower and hit his head while vacationing in Mexico. I suppose that isn't the ideal way to go, but at least he didn't know what was coming.
I guess the thoughts that are bombarding my mind the most right now are those concerning the fragility of life and how any of us could go at any moment, even if we are as invincible as Kevin Doran. I guess this unfortunate event, among other things, has stressed the importance of living life to its fullest. By this I mean trying the things that scare you the most like jumping off a bridge, farming in a developing country where you speak little, if none of the language, go to chili with no visa, fly to an unreliable TN in Africa, or whatever else puts your completely outside of your comfort zone, cause who knows, tomorrow you could slip and fall in the shower and never wake up.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Finally something actually worth blogging about
I don't mean to imply that I haven't been doing heaps of great things every day, but this weekend I actually did something that has motivated me to blog for the first time in a while, the Routeburn Track. Travis, Carl and I decided last minute we would take on the track and basically made no plans other than booking 1 camp site even though we needed 2. We rented a car (we will buy one soon) and drove to Queenstown to see how to get to the trail head. Turns out we were 4 hours late for the last shuttle, but no worries, we're in NZ so hitching is an option. After making a sign taped with bandaids with 'Glenorchy' written in my chicken scratch bubble letters we threw our thumbs out and hoped for the best. 30 min later, after some German girls got our hopes up then smashed them once we learned they had no idea where they were going, we got picked up by...can you guess...yes, a nice American couple. Should of guessed, you are hard pressed to find a Kiwi in Queenstown. Anyways, after a pleasent conversation with the Americans during our 44km trip, we were in Glenorchy (small moutain town with a school the size of a Mcdonalds play place). We had just 28 km to the trail head left, but little hope of finding a ride. After discovering you can not camp for free, we began dragging our feet to the camp site resigned to the fact that we would have to pay to camp...I think thats a sin. Lucky for us a far from sober Kiwi named 'Kiwi' popped his head over a fence and inquired as to our intentions. After some discussion we were offered a ride for 1/3 the price we would have payed for the shuttle the next morning, with a catch of course. We had to ride with 2 drunk Kiwis for 28 km and had no idea as to there intentions...we were in the middle of nowhere and thought of murder crossed my mind more than twice. Luckily they turned out to be very nice, but continued to drink (the driver Whiskey and Coke and Kiwi some beer, as we went a 100 down the dirt road to the trail head. All was good and we started the track.
I suppose I could go into great detail about the track, but it isn't nearly as interesting as our trip there. Let me just say that our first camping spot was the coolest place I have ever pitched a tent and the track was absolutely the most beautiful walk I have ever done. 3 days of mountain views and mysterious NZ bush. We met some beautiful Danish girls and enjoyed cigars and Crown Royal each night.
The trip back to QT wasn't nearly as interesting. Though we didn't make a booking we got super lucky that there were 3 spots left on the shuttle, so 2 bus rides and a 3 our car ride back to Dunedin to my bedroom that was colder than the tent and here I am, on a computer, happy to be clean, but wishing I were back on the track...this time with all of you.
Missing my friends but loving it here.
Dan
I suppose I could go into great detail about the track, but it isn't nearly as interesting as our trip there. Let me just say that our first camping spot was the coolest place I have ever pitched a tent and the track was absolutely the most beautiful walk I have ever done. 3 days of mountain views and mysterious NZ bush. We met some beautiful Danish girls and enjoyed cigars and Crown Royal each night.
The trip back to QT wasn't nearly as interesting. Though we didn't make a booking we got super lucky that there were 3 spots left on the shuttle, so 2 bus rides and a 3 our car ride back to Dunedin to my bedroom that was colder than the tent and here I am, on a computer, happy to be clean, but wishing I were back on the track...this time with all of you.
Missing my friends but loving it here.
Dan
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
same same but different
ok, I know I just voiced that I don't really like blogging that much, but I wanted to say some more.
There is a saying here that NZ is same same, but different. It couldn't be more accurate. There is a very distinct kiwi culture that I haven't totally got a grasp on, but seems to be a mix of american and european with a touch of the 90s. I'll update you when I have it down pat. I say 90s because they are way behind us here. for orientation I had to go to each department and get my classes approved and stand on 8 lines all day just to get a student id card. They don't have any central heating and although it is 60 plus degress I am cold in my room. I am forced to learn how to text because the cardinal sin is calling someone...it costs lots of money.
besides all that good stuff, I have learned some good kiwi terms. in fact, being here is kind of like learning a second language. We discovered yesterday that it is nearly impossible to understand a group of drunk kiwis.
anyways, seeing as it appears I will still be blogging I guess I should just dedicate it to passing on some great terms.
Kia Ora: hello, how are how, have a good day, goodbye. yes, all of those...you can imagine my amazement when a bus driver of ours said it in 54 languages.
togs: swimming suit
gumboots: rain boots
nackered: tired
pissed: drunk
sweet as: a better way of saying sweet....they throw 'as' or 'ay' on the end of lot of random shit
anyways, many more to come
There is a saying here that NZ is same same, but different. It couldn't be more accurate. There is a very distinct kiwi culture that I haven't totally got a grasp on, but seems to be a mix of american and european with a touch of the 90s. I'll update you when I have it down pat. I say 90s because they are way behind us here. for orientation I had to go to each department and get my classes approved and stand on 8 lines all day just to get a student id card. They don't have any central heating and although it is 60 plus degress I am cold in my room. I am forced to learn how to text because the cardinal sin is calling someone...it costs lots of money.
besides all that good stuff, I have learned some good kiwi terms. in fact, being here is kind of like learning a second language. We discovered yesterday that it is nearly impossible to understand a group of drunk kiwis.
anyways, seeing as it appears I will still be blogging I guess I should just dedicate it to passing on some great terms.
Kia Ora: hello, how are how, have a good day, goodbye. yes, all of those...you can imagine my amazement when a bus driver of ours said it in 54 languages.
togs: swimming suit
gumboots: rain boots
nackered: tired
pissed: drunk
sweet as: a better way of saying sweet....they throw 'as' or 'ay' on the end of lot of random shit
anyways, many more to come
update
Ok, so I've decided I don't really like blogging at all, but for those of you I forgot to e mail and actually care what I am doing here is a list that some of you have already seen.
New Zealand is fucking awesome
a) before leaving, snow shoed through the sierra nevadas and drank sierra nevada pale ale
b) zorbed. basically rolled down a luge like course while in a ball which was inside a bigger balls, splashed around in water while being shot down the hill and bounced every which way and had now idea where I was till it ended...fucking crazy.
c) made good american friends and realized the impossibility of not hanging out with americans while studying abroad. I enjoy them, and want to keep hanging out but also know I want to meet more kiwis. maybe I can do both, have yet to find out. I live right by travis (friend from high school)...he is literally in my backyard...but its ok, we have a good friend group.
d) Caved. This included a 60 rappell into the cave and then some hiking through the cave with 3 more rappells down waterfalls, some climbing up huge walls and army crawling through spaces I didn't know I could fit. probably the best experience so far and near the top in my life.
e) partied until 4:30 am the last night of orientation and discovered that everyone learned the name 'party dan' when I walked on the bus in the morning and was welcomed with an overwhelming 'PARTY DAN!!'
f) learned the haka...very cool.
END OF THE SHIT SHOW THAT IS AMERICAN/CANADIAN ORIENTATION
g) met a guy while walking on campus today who happened to be from mn but lives here. he is a member of the club that meets every wed and fri in what we would consider 'library mall' to smoke. while busy talking to him I lost my tour group, so I figured out how to do the class sign up and id shit myself and ended up beating everyone in my group. I have his number and was offered some free and fun tours...might do it. he's a major hippie.
h) made connections that will make my hilldale awesome if I get it.
WHAT I FAILED TO SAY IN MY E MAIL
I met a girl...too bad she has a boyfriend, this could get very very complicated. shit
New Zealand is fucking awesome
a) before leaving, snow shoed through the sierra nevadas and drank sierra nevada pale ale
b) zorbed. basically rolled down a luge like course while in a ball which was inside a bigger balls, splashed around in water while being shot down the hill and bounced every which way and had now idea where I was till it ended...fucking crazy.
c) made good american friends and realized the impossibility of not hanging out with americans while studying abroad. I enjoy them, and want to keep hanging out but also know I want to meet more kiwis. maybe I can do both, have yet to find out. I live right by travis (friend from high school)...he is literally in my backyard...but its ok, we have a good friend group.
d) Caved. This included a 60 rappell into the cave and then some hiking through the cave with 3 more rappells down waterfalls, some climbing up huge walls and army crawling through spaces I didn't know I could fit. probably the best experience so far and near the top in my life.
e) partied until 4:30 am the last night of orientation and discovered that everyone learned the name 'party dan' when I walked on the bus in the morning and was welcomed with an overwhelming 'PARTY DAN!!'
f) learned the haka...very cool.
END OF THE SHIT SHOW THAT IS AMERICAN/CANADIAN ORIENTATION
g) met a guy while walking on campus today who happened to be from mn but lives here. he is a member of the club that meets every wed and fri in what we would consider 'library mall' to smoke. while busy talking to him I lost my tour group, so I figured out how to do the class sign up and id shit myself and ended up beating everyone in my group. I have his number and was offered some free and fun tours...might do it. he's a major hippie.
h) made connections that will make my hilldale awesome if I get it.
WHAT I FAILED TO SAY IN MY E MAIL
I met a girl...too bad she has a boyfriend, this could get very very complicated. shit
Monday, February 16, 2009
Blessed are we the travelers
Let me preface this by reminding everyone that I suck at spelling and truthfully don't give a rats ass...but thank you for the corrections, it's always good to learn from your mistakes.
So I'll try to make this short, but I could probably go on forever about the long weekend I just had. I spent the last 4 days in Sequoia National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Which was fitting because my brother and I just happened to bring a twelve pack of Sierra Nevada pale ale.
Basically we spent the weekend at 7,000 ft, snow shoeing through some of the biggest trees in the world and getting some great mountain views. I could go into all the emotional introspective shit, but I don't think many people actually want to hear about that. Let's just say I spent the weekend thinking a lot about our insignificance, how lucky I am to get these opportunities, and what we can do to use all these opportunities we've been blessed with.
In conclusion, it was an incredible week in California. A combination of the beach, mountains that remind me of the polar express and Need For Speed Mountain Pass, and trees that actually make me wish I was a tree, is going to be hard to beat. That being said, I am leaving tomorrow for New Zealand and hope the adventure continues.
I am missing all my friends, hope you are all having incredible travels or simply an adventure in Madison.
So I'll try to make this short, but I could probably go on forever about the long weekend I just had. I spent the last 4 days in Sequoia National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Which was fitting because my brother and I just happened to bring a twelve pack of Sierra Nevada pale ale.
Basically we spent the weekend at 7,000 ft, snow shoeing through some of the biggest trees in the world and getting some great mountain views. I could go into all the emotional introspective shit, but I don't think many people actually want to hear about that. Let's just say I spent the weekend thinking a lot about our insignificance, how lucky I am to get these opportunities, and what we can do to use all these opportunities we've been blessed with.
In conclusion, it was an incredible week in California. A combination of the beach, mountains that remind me of the polar express and Need For Speed Mountain Pass, and trees that actually make me wish I was a tree, is going to be hard to beat. That being said, I am leaving tomorrow for New Zealand and hope the adventure continues.
I am missing all my friends, hope you are all having incredible travels or simply an adventure in Madison.
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